DC Universe Presents #8Review

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The Challengers of the Unknown arc draws to a close.

By Joey Esposito

The best thing that can be said about this latest DCU Presents arc is that Jerry Ordway's graphic storytelling is an education in the most basic principles of the comic book language. From laying out a clear page of action to the most elementary forms of body language and emotion, this issue has it all. Unfortunately, the story it's being used for is less than compelling, though Dan Didio's love and appreciation of Jack Kirby is always contagious.

Issue #8 wraps up the Challengers of the Unknown story, but it's a fractured conclusion that seems to jam the resolution into the final few pages, and even then, doesn't wrap it up completely. One gets the idea that perhaps this arc was intended to go longer – perhaps five issues like the Deadman arc – but was truncated for one reason or another. Even if that's not the case, the unresolved threads and the classic "The End… For Now" banner on the last page makes it feel as such. However, as I've stated in past reviews, Didio's new take on the Challengers as reality TV adventurers holds a lot of potential for both the property and commentary of pop culture. Sadly, only a small portion of that potential is realized here.

Other than a somewhat grating story, the other big detraction of this issue is the book's opening pages that have a sandy sort of veil laid over them, giving the pages a muted color palette as though you're looking at everything through fog. The idea is that characters are watching the action unfold on a television screen, but that knowledge doesn't stop the strain of your eyes as you try to read the pages, ultimately making the opening section of this book a less enjoyable read than it could be.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He will love Star Wars until the end of his days.